My Hometown.... Big Springs, Van Buren, Missouri
Van Buren lies deep in the southeastern Missouri Ozarks, a lovely and peaceful county seat with a population of 893 contented people. It is a major destination of canoeists and fishermen that float the famous and beautiful Current River. To locate Van Buren on a map of Missouri, find Poplar Bluff in the southeast corner and follow US 60 west 45 miles. Van Buren is on the edge of a large section of Mark Twain National Forest, and Clearwater Late & Dam are just a few miles to the northeast. Van Buren is the most prominent of the seven small communities that dot scenic Carter County.
The crystal-clear Current River was the first stream to be designated a National Scenic River, and is the major stream of those that comprise the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. It springs up in Montauk State Park to the northwest and flows southeast to bisect Carter County. Once heavily used for transportation by Native Americans and the lumber industry, it is now a highly popular stream for fishing, canoeing, tubing, and Jonboating. Along its pastoral length are state parks and forests, large springs, gravel bars and other camp sites, mountains and breathtaking scenery.
In the center of Carter County, just south of Van Buren, is the largest spring of them all, with an average daily flow of 276 million gallons. Aptly named Big Spring has been described as both the largest single-outlet spring in the United States and in the world. It is the dominant attraction in an area noted as one of the most beautiful and exciting places in the country for the outdoor enthusiast. The main outlet boils up in an unrestrained mound that captivates the onlooker with its size and force.
The area that surrounds this exquisitely lovely spring is know as "Big Spring Country," and many local activities are centered around the spring or take their names from it. Big Spring Natural Area is a former state park now managed by the National Park Service. It contains a rustic lodge and cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the late 1930s. The lodge features a restaurant and gift shop, and the cabins are roomy and picturesque. Activities include craft demonstrations, quilting, Jonboat building, canoe and tube rentals, Jonboat rides, camping, picnicking, hiking on nature trails, and theatrical presentations.
On your way to Big Spring, take a short detour down Skyline Drive for a thrill at any time of the year, most especially during the fall when the leaves are turning. On a clear day, it really does seem that you can see forever!
Each year on Memorial Day weekend the Big Spring Arts, Crafts and Music Festival is held in Van Buren. Pioneer skills are demonstrated and bluegrass and country music fills the air continuously for two festive days. On the first weekend in October, Current River Days bring to the area an old-fashioned country fair that includes games, artists and crafts people, exhibits and demonstrations, country music, clogging, a street dance with square and round dancing, a beauty pageant and other contests. From May through October, monthly street dances with live music shake the pavilion behind Van Buren�s historic and picturesque native rock courthouse. The pavilion is also the site of political rallies and other special functions. During the first weekend in December, the Big Spring Country Christmas delights onlookers with a parade, Santa Claus, carolers, the lighting of the courthouse square, and much more.
Accommodations are both plentiful, attractive, and all within three miles of Van Buren. They include comfortable motels, lodges, bed & breakfast inns, and numerous campgrounds and campsites. Our unique little town offers a variety of restaurants, from formal to buffet or home style. Around the courthouse square are interesting antique shops, gift shops an other quaint country stores. Van Buren is small, secluded and peaceful yet up to date in many important things. We have an airport, small factories, banks, fine schools, a log cabin museum, many retail and service shops, doctors, nursing homes, golf course and many other amenities.
Hunting is a pastime almost as popular as fishing in this beautiful region of the Ozarks. The area is abundant with trophy white-tail deer, wild turkey and other large and small game. Camping, horseback riding and back packing are also frequently enjoyed in this extravagantly scenic area. The climate is moderate and each season brings its own delights. Annual rainfall is 48 inches. Average temperatures range from a high of 85 to 90 degrees in summer to a low of 25 to 32 degrees in winter. We�ve got it all! Water, woods, wildlife and warm, friendly folks who�ll soon call you by your first name and treat you like family.
